FLINT, Michigan -- As the city reached the highest number of homicides in its history today, Flint Mayor Dayne Walling said he's moving forward with a plan to ask residents to pay higher taxes for public safety.

Walling said he plans to bring a proposal for a 4-mill or a 6-mill public safety tax before the Flint City Council at its meeting on Monday, Dec. 20.

A millage can be placed on the ballot one of two ways: City Council approval or a petition drive by registered voters.

Walling said he wants to hear from residents before Monday about whether they would approve either millage proposal, which would replace the city's current 2-mill neighborhood police millage. It would mean either a 2-mill or 4-mill tax increase for Flint residents.

"We want (more officers)," Walling said. "But we have to live within the funds this community sends us."

Councilman Dale Weighill said he's concerned about the amount of taxes Flint residents currently pay. He said he would like to see a plan on how the city would improve public safety services, specifically emergency response times, before he considers a tax increase.

"That's what my consituents are concerned about," he said.

Walling said he also is considering raising the city income tax, but he said that would require a change in state law.

Walling said the city currently has 142 police officers of all ranks. The city could have 122 police officers as of Friday, when the 20 pink slips issued to Flint police officers are scheduled to take effect.